Continuous cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A continuous cleaning apparatus includes an elongated barrel which is open at both its feed and discharge ends to permit parts to flow axially therethrough. Cleaning devices are positioned along the barrel to clean the parts as the barrel rotates and a pickup apparatus is disposed at the feed end to insert the parts into the barrel.

[ Dec. 10, 1974 Unite States te [191 Baughman et a1.

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[22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1966 Primary ExaminerDonald G. Kelly Attorney,Agent, or FirmDavid E. Dougherty; William H. Holt App]. No.2 592,799

Related US. Application Data Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 553,183,May 26,

[57] ABSTRACT A continuous cleaning apparatus includes an elongatedbarrel which is open at both its feed and discharge ends to permit partsto flow axially there- 5 MM 195 5 "4 a 25 W 8 4 W 1 W C a 4 0 N W 5 .2 uN w "Bin 0. Hr "Ha e s L l WM .m U'mF 1.1.1. 2 8 555 .1211

through. Cleaning devices are positioned along the barrel to clean theparts as the barrel rotates and a [56] References Cited pickup apparatusis disposed at the feed end to insert UNITED STATES PATENTS the partsinto the barrel.

763,268 6 1904 Edwards 198/215 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 0 a K H I? MF u I x mug/r m M M L 090 CONTINUOUS CLEANING APPARATUS This applicationis a continuation-in-part of the copending application Ser. No. 553,183,filed May 26, 1966.

This invention relates to an apparatus which is particularly suitablefor cleaning large batches of parts or continuously fed parts such asautomobile heads, manifolds, etc.

Parent application Ser. No. 553,183 filed May 26, 1966, describes anapparatus which is particularly effective for cleaning the above typeparts. In that apparatus when a particular part is to be cleaned, theparts are fed one at a time to one end of an elongated rotatable barrel.The parts flow axially therethrough while being cleaned and aredischarged at the other end of the barrel. The rotation of the barrel iscontrolled in such a manner in that rotation is periodically halted topermit a part to be fed into the barrel. This type of cleaning worksquite effectively for large batches of the same type part. When adifferent type part is to be cleaned, the entire barrel is replaced byanother barrel having a particular shape for receiving the new part.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the above typewhich may be continuously rotated without the necessity for periodicstopping of the barrel to receive each part.

A further object is to provide such an apparatus which is so shaped asto accommodate a plurality of different shaped parts so that thenecessity of completely replacing a barrel when a new part is to becleaned is minimized.

In accordance with this invention, the elongated barrel includes partpickup means for scooping parts off the feed conveyor as the barrel isrotating. In this manner the part is scooped from the conveyor anddeposited in the barrel while the barrel continues to rotate so that itis not necessary to periodically halt the barrel rotation for receivingthe part. The part pickup means may advantageously have a pair ofelongated bars secured directly to the barrel and spaced so as to fitbetween the bands of the conveyor.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention,

the barrel is provided with a pluraltiy of parts positioning memberswhich are so located therein that some of the members position aparticularly shaped part in one orientation of the barrel and othermembers are disposed to position another shaped part in a differentorientation of the barrel. With this type of apparatus the barrelrotates'in the same manner while cleaning a particular part. When abatch of different shaped parts is to be cleaned, the barrel isdisengaged from its drive and rotated to a new orientation whichdisposes its parts positioning members to receive the new part. Therotation drive is then reen gaged and the barrel may rotate in itsnormal manner. Accordingly when a new part is to be cleaned all that isnecessary is to reorientate the barrel rather than completely replacethe barrel.

Novel features and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent to one skilled in the art from a reading from the followingdescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings whereinsimilar reference characters refer to similar parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view ofan apparatus formed in accordance with thisinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view in section ofa part of the apparatusshown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a part of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1and 2; and

FIGS. 4 and 5 are end views of different shaped barrels usable in theapparatus shown in FIGS. 1-3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a supply conveyor 12 whichfeeds the parts 14 to a feed conveyor 16. The parts are then inserted inelongated barrel l8 and flow axially therethrough while the barrel isrotating. Barrel 18 is slotted or skeletal so that the parts 14 arecleaned by for example, abrasive blasting machines 20 disposed along thebarrel. The cleaned parts are then discharged onto receiving conveyor 22and thence to their area of further distribution by conveyors 24. Thevarious drives for the conveyors and barrels may be of the typedescribed in parent application Ser. No. 553,183, filed May 26, 1966.

As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, feed conveyor 16 is in the formofa pair of bands or link chains 26 having spacing projections 28 formaintaining a proper spacing between the parts 14. The parts 14 aredriven by conveyor 16 toward the open end of barrel 18. Barrel 18includes a number of elongated bars 30 which are so arranged to properlyposition the part 14 during the rotation of the barrel. A pair of pickupelongated arms 32 are secured to some of the bars 30 and areconveniently spaced to fit between the chains 26 of conveyor 16 as bestshown in FIG. 2. As also shown in FIG. 2 bar 30a terminates short ofarms 32 so as not to interfere with the part sliding into the barrel.

Barrel 18 includes a ring gear 34 which is driven by gear train 36. Thesame gear drive for rotating barrel 18 is also connected to drive gear38 for the conveyor 16. In this manner a proper synchronization of therotation of barrel 18 with conveyor 16 is assured. As barrel 18 rotates.arms 32 scoop a part 14 from conveyor 16 (FIG. 3) and slide the partinto the open end of barrel 18. The part is then moved axially into thebarrel by periodically actuated piston cylinder assembly 40 which moveseach part fed to the barrel toward the discharge end of the barrel. Inthis manner each successive part causes its adjacent part to be movedtoward the discharge end of the barrel where by a similar process to theabove described feed process, the last part is discharged from thebarrel.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, barrel 18 includes a plurality of partspositioning members 42-48. These members are arranged in such a mannerto receive the specialized shapes of various manifolds, automobileheads, etc. For example, as indicated in FIG. 4, bars 43 and 44cooperate to hold the part 14a. Bars 42 additionally cooperate forholding this part during rotation of the barrel by limiting the amountof movement of the part being cleaned. However, when a different part isto be cleaned, bars 42 or other bars might be inactive while theremaining bars cooperate in positioning this other part.

The periodic use and inactivity of certain parts positioning bars isbetter shown in FIG. 5 where a part 14b (in full lines) is positioned bybars 45, 46 and 47 with bars 48 being inactive. Another shaped part 14c(phantom), is held by the bars 46,- 47 and 48 with bars 45 beinginactive. The number of parts positioning bars may be reduced by havingsome or all of the bars adjustable or movable such as bars 43 shown inFIG. 4.

With the use of the plurality of parts positioning bars it is notnecessary to completely remove a barrel when a new part is to becleaned, instead all that is necessary is to disengage the rotationaldrive of the barrel and reorientate the barrel. This may be done in anyconvenient manner. For example, FIG. 3 shows a possibility fordisengaging drive 36 by slip clutch 50. When the drive 36 is disengagedfrom ring gear 34 another slip clutch 52 is utilized to engage gear 54with ring gear 34. Next by the use of manual or automatic means, gears54 is actuated to drive ring gear 34, a sufficient amount to reorientateits parts positioning bars so that upon reengagement of drive 36 andparts positioning bars of the rotating barrel will be synchronized withfeed conveyor 16.

The concept of using a plurality of different parts positioning bars isparticularly adapted to periodically rotating barrels such as describedin patent application Ser. No. 553,183, filed May 26, 1966.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in the light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, tobe understood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Whatis claimed is:

1. A continuous cleaning apparatus comprising an elongated barrel, saidbarrel having an open feed end and an open discharge end to permit theaxial flow of parts therethrough, feed means for delivering parts tosaid feed end one at a time, discharge means for receiving parts fromsaid discharge end one at a time, cleaning means positioned along saidbarrel for cleaning the parts flowing therethrough, said barrel being ofskeletal form with open portions in its periphery to permit cleaningmedia from said cleaning means to enter said barrel, rotation meansconnected to continuously rotate said barrel to cause the parts thereinto rotate as they are cleaned, and pickup means on said feed end forremoving parts from said feed means and disposing the parts in saidbarrel.

2. A continuous cleaning apparatus comprising an elongated barrel, saidbarrel having an open feed end and an open discharge end to permit theaxial flow of parts therethrough, feed means for delivering parts tosaid feed end one at a time, discharge means for receiving parts fromsaid discharge end one at a time, cleaning means positioned along saidbarrel for cleaning the parts flowing therethrough, rotation meansconnected to continuously rotate said barrel to cause the parts thereinto rotate as they are cleaned, and pickup means on said feed end forremoving parts from said feed means and disposing the parts in saidbarrel, and said pickup means including a pair of elongated pickup arms,disposed for rotation with said barrel.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said feed means includesa pair of conveyor bands spaced apart a distance greater than thedistance between said pickup arms, and piston cylinder means for movingthe parts axially in said barrel.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3 including drive means connectedto said rotation means for synchronizing the movement of said conveyorswith the rotation of said barrel.

5. A continuous cleaning apparatus comprising an elongated barrel, saidbarrel having an open feed end and an open discharge end to permit theaxial flow of parts therethrough, feed means for delivering parts tosaid feed end one at a time, discharge means for receiving parts fromsaid discharge end one at a time, cleaning means positioned along saidbarrel for cleaning the parts flowing therethrough, rotation means forperiodically rotating said barrel to cause the parts therein to rotateas they are cleaned, parts positioning means in said barrel forselectively holding different shaped parts therein, disengaging meansfor operatively disconnecting said rotation means from said barrelbefore a different shaped part is to be inserted therein, and barrelorientation means for controlling the orientation of said barrel todispose said parts positioning means for holding different shapedbarrel.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said parts positioningmeans includes a plurality of parts positioning members, and at leastsome of said parts positioning members being adjustable.

7. A continuous cleaning apparatus compsing an elongated barrel, saidbarrel having an open feed end and an open discharge end to permit theaxial flow of parts therethrough, said barrel including means forholding the parts to minimize relative rotation of the parts withrespect to said barrel to provide positive control of the disposition ofthe parts as the parts flow through said barrel, feed means fordelivering parts to said feed end one at a time, discharge means forreceiving parts from said discharge end one at a time, cleaning meanspositioned along said barrel for cleaning the parts flowingtherethrough, rotation means connected to continuously rotate saidbarrel to cause the parts therein to rotate as they are cleaned, andpickup means on said feed end for removing parts from said feed meansand disposing the parts in said barrel.

8. A continuous cleaning apparatus comprising an elongated barrel, saidbarrel having an open feed end and an open discharge end to permit theaxial flow of parts therethrough, feed means for delivering parts tosaid feed end one at a time, discharge means for receiving parts fromsaid discharge end one at a time, cleaning means positioned along saidbarrel for cleaning the parts flowing therethrough, said cleaning meansbeing disposed at different locations with respect to thecircumferential periphery of said barrel for applying cleaning mediainto said barrel from different radial directions, rotation meansconnected to continuously rotate said barrel to cause the parts thereinto rotate as they are cleaned, and pickup means on said feed end forremoving parts from said feed means and disposing the parts in saidbarrel.

1. A continuous cleaning apparatus comprising an elongated barrel, saidbarrel having an open feed end and an open discharge end to permit theaxial flow of parts therethrough, feed means for delivering parts tosaid feed end one at a time, discharge means for receiving parts fromsaid discharge end one at a time, cleaning means positioned along saidbarrel for cleaning the parts flowing therethrough, said barrel being ofskeletal form with open portions in its periphery to permit cleaningmedia from said cleaning means to enter said barrel, rotation meansconnected to continuously rotate said barrel to cause the parts thereinto rotate as they are cleaned, and pickup means on said feed end forremoving parts from said feed means and disposing the parts in saidbarrel.
 2. A continuous cleaning apparatus comprising an elongatedbarrel, said barrel having an open feed end and an open discharge end topermit the axial flow of parts therethrough, feed means for deliveringparts to said feed end one at a time, discharge means for receivingparts from said discharge end one at a time, cleaning means positionedalong said barrel for cleaning the parts flowing therethrough, rotationmeans connected to continuously rotate said barrel to cause the partstherein to rotate as they are cleaned, and pickup means on said feed endfor removing parts from said feed means and disposing the parts in saidbarrel, and said pickup means including a pair of elongated pickup armsdisposed for rotation with said barrel.
 3. An apparatus as set forth inclaim 2 wherein said feed means includes a pair of conveyor bands spacedapart a distance greater than the distance between said pickup arms, andpiston cylinder means for moving the parts axially in said barrel.
 4. Anapparatus as set forth in claim 3 including drive means connected tosaid rotation means for synchronizing the movement of said conveyorswith the rotation of said barrel.
 5. A continuous cleaning apparatuscomprising an elongated barrel, said barrel having an open feed end andan open discharge end to permit the axial flow of parts therethrough,feed means for delivering parts to said feed end one at a time,discharge means for receiving parts from said discharge end one at atime, cleaning means positioned along said barrel for cleaning the partsflowing therethrough, rotation means for periodically rotating saidbarrel to cause the parts therein to rotate as they are cleaned, partspositioning means in said barrel for selectively holding differentshaped parts therein, disengaging means for operatively disconnectingsaid rotation means from said barrel before a different shaped part isto be inserted therein, and barrel orientation means for controlling theorientation of said barrel to dispose said parts positioning means forholding different shaped barrel.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5wherein said parts positioning means includes a plurality of partspositioning members, and at least some of said parts positioning membersbeing adjustable.
 7. A continuous cleaning apparatus compsing anelongated barrel, said barrel having an open feed end and an opendischarge end to permit the axial flow of parts therethrough, saidbarrel including means for holding the parts to minimize relativerotation of the parts with respect to said barrel to provide positivecontrol of the disposition of the parts as the parts flow through saidbarrel, feed means for delivering parts to said feed end one at a time,discharge means for receiving parts from said discharge end one at atime, cleaning means positioned along said barrel for cleaning the partsflowing therethrough, rotation means connected to continuously rotatesaid barrel to cause the parts therein to rotate as they are cleaned,and pickup means on said feed end for removing parts from said feedmeans and disposing the parts in said barrel.
 8. A continuous cleaningapparatus comprising an elongated barrel, said barrel having an openfeed end and an open discharge end to permit the axial flow of partstherethrough, feed means for delivering parts to said feed end one at atime, discharge means for receiving parts from said discharge end one ata time, cleaning means positioned along said barrel for cleaning theparts flowing therethrough, said cleaning means being disposed atdifferent locations with respect to the circumferential periphery ofsaid barrel for applying cleaning media into said barrel from differentradial directions, rotation means connected to continuously rotate saidbarrel to cause the parts therein to rotate as they are cleaned, andpickup means on said feed end for removing parts from said feed meansand disposing the parts in said barrel.